3 Card Poker

In the past it was just Hold’em played at No Limit until one day writing about poker became something of a hobby. Not only did it improve my skills playing, but it also helped me to broaden my horizons a little. Since then I have dabbled in Omaha, Stud, Draw and other versions of poker that I’d always shunned. What’s more is that I love all these games, especially Omaha because of its high/low variation.

On my hunt for poker games I’ve been through Video slots, Pai Gow, Badugi, and I have started to dabble more and more in 8-Game Mix, but not so long ago I came across 3 Card Poker in my online casino. I took a step back and watched for a while before realising this was a game I was definitely going to try and beat.

Apparently the game is still in its early stages as it only hit the streets around 1994 when Derek Webb came up with the idea of 3 card poker. There are 2 games of poker in 1. The Bonus Pairs bet that pays regardless of the result of the hand versus the dealer, and the ante bet that relies on the showdown for you to get a return on your wager.

There are not many rules at all and it is really simple to play. It uses the same rules as poker so far as hand rankings, but with just a couple of exciting changes. For instance, the straight is worth more than flush in the bonus pairs betting zone, and trips, which are known as a ‘Prial’ is the ultimate hand you can land. If you land 3-3-3 this is best prial there is.

The dealer must qualify usually with a Queen or higher to play. The only way you can find this out is by getting to the showdown. When you bet on the ante you are dealt 3 cards. You than have the option to bet again to go into a showdown versus the dealer.

When the dealer fails to qualify your second bet is ‘pushed’ so returned with no pay, but your ante will paid back at even odds.

Ante and Extra Bet

If you win with a pair you’ll win back your ante and bet plus you’ll be paid even odds on both bets, so 2 bets pay back 4 bets for a 2 bet profit. Here you go up against the dealer.

Land a straight known as a run means you’ll be paid even odds again on top of your ante bet

Land a running flush, so a straight flush for 4-1 back on your ante bet and bet on top.

Land the Prial and you’ll get 5-1 paid back your bet

Bonus Pairs Bet

You’ll be paid for the bonus bet regardless of the result of your hand versus the dealer.

Here a Prial will pay you a massive 40-1

Running Flush 30-1

Run 6-1

Flush 4-1

Pair 1-1

3 Card Poker or otherwise known as 3 Card Bragg is a great casino table game to go heads-up versus the house. It’s certainly a game that I’ve fallen in love with and so many of friends have also fallen for what is a great poker game. The best way to find a casino that had Bragg and play for free is take a look at no deposit casinos at http://www.nodepositcasinoonline.com/.